Madam, - Ireland is the kind of country where a Government Minister, Pat the Cope Gallagher, can break the law in an apparent effort to gain cheap publicity in the run-up to a general election (The Irish Times, April 16th).
It is the kind of country where the authority responsible for repairing the damage, at the taxpayers' expense, is accused of being "overly vigilant" by the same Minister.
It is the kind of country where there is no outrage, no widespread reporting/analysis of his actions, no questions asked by his fellow politicians and not even a hint that he might be sacked or face any consequences as a result of his behaviour.
It is the kind of country where cute hoorism and political irresponsibility is the norm rather than the exception.
It is the kind of country of which I am ashamed to be a citizen. - Yours, etc,
ANTHONY SHERIDAN, Carraig Eoin, Cobh, Co Cork.